There may never be a better set of circumstances for Zara Phillips and Toytown
to claim the Mitsubishi Motors Trophy at Badminton, starting on Thursday.

Despite winning world and European gold, the 16-year-old chesnut has never completed the world's greatest event, being nurtured instead for two Olympics, ultimately missed through injury. But Phillips's painstaking care has delivered Toytown sound to the Gloucestershire showpiece, and his two prep runs were flawless.

Toytown was among widespread withdrawals during Badminton's 'hard ground' problems of 2007 but enhanced grass management is in place, and those who have previewed the course think its unrelenting accuracy questions will suit Toytown, who will also benefit from Phillips' earlier ride on Ardfield Magic Star.

Arguably, the start-list has fewer horses than usual of Toytown's calibre. Sadly too, the eagerly anticipated return of Mark Todd has been dashed by Gandalf's neck problem.

Toytown will not have it his own way, though; challenges will come from youngsters such as Kitty Boggis (Boondoggle), Emily Baldwin (Drivetime) and Matthew Wright (If You Want II).

The precociously talented Oliver Townend withdrew himself from Olympic selection but Flint Curtis has had a terrific spring, clearly unfazed by the psychological challenge of last November's 'Express Eventing' where he won the mega prize of £100,000.

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Of the elite, William Fox-Pitt has the disadvantage of going first, but inexperience did not stop newcomer Macchiato winning Luhmuhlen last June, and he has not lowered a show jump since 2007. Big rival Andrew Nicholson will be hungry, having not won in 24 Badminton completions. Armada has numerous top five placings in one-day events since 2008 and was eighth at Burghley.